snap

verb (snaps, snapping, snapped)

• 1break or cause to break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound: [no object]:guitar strings kept snapping [with object]:dead twigs can be snapped off
• [no object] emit a sudden, sharp cracking sound:banners snapping in the breeze
• [no object] (of an animal) make a sudden audible bite:a dog was snapping at his heels
• [with object or adverbial] cause to move or alter in a specified way with a brisk movement and typically a sharp sound:Rosa snapped her bag shut
• [no object]his mouth snapped into a tight, straight line
• [no object] suddenly lose one’s self-control:she claims she snapped after years of violence
• [reporting verb] say something quickly and irritably to someone: [no object]:McIllvanney snapped at her [with direct speech]:“I really don’t much care,” she snapped

• 2 [with object] take a snapshot of:he planned to spend the time snapping rare wildlife [no object]:photographers were snapping away at her

• 3 [with object] Football put (the ball) into play by a quick backward movement from the ground.

• 4 [with object] fasten with snaps:he pulled a white rubber swim hat over his head and snapped it under his chin

noun

• 1a sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement:she closed her purse with a snap
• [in singular] a hurried, irritable tone or manner:“I’m still waiting,” he said with a snap
• vigor or liveliness of style or action; zest:the snap of the dialogue

• 2 (usually snaps) a small fastener on clothing, engaged by pressing its two halves together.

• 3 [in singular] informal an easy task:a control panel that makes operation a snap

• 4 Football a quick backward movement of the ball from the ground that begins a play.

• 5a snapshot.

• 6British a card game in which cards from two piles are turned over simultaneously and players call “snap” as quickly as possible when two similar cards are exposed.

adjective

• done or taken on the spur of the moment, unexpectedly, or without notice:a snap judgment he could call a snap election